Cybersecurity
Undermining Encryption Not an Option, House Judiciary Chair Pledges
A bipartisan committee report that urged strong encryption will be the committee’s starting point this year, Rep. Bob Goodlatte said.
Digital Government
Citizens Hit New Level of Satisfaction with Federal Services in 2016, Survey Says
A survey credits government websites with turnaround.
People
Shulkin pledges no 'learning curve' as VA secretary
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee conducted a bipartisan hearing to elevate current VA Undersecretary for Health to lead the agency, while elsewhere in the legislative chamber, panels were at odds over other Trump cabinet picks.
People
OPM explains the hiring freeze
The Office of Personnel Management released guidance explaining what is and isn't covered by the hiring freeze. There are more exceptions than one might think.
Modernization
How cyber info sharing helps keep the lights on
At a House hearing, electricity industry reps said that information sharing between private sector and government is essential to mitigating cyber threats.
Artificial Intelligence
Scientists Are Weaving Futuristic Artificial Muscles Using Traditional Textile Techniques
These fake muscles move like human muscles and can be worn under clothing.
Cybersecurity
Ransomware Causes Dallas Police to Lose 8 Years of Evidence
Government (U.S.) // Dallas, Texas
Digital Government
By Lifting Sanctions, Trump Could Hand Russia’s Military a Lethal Technological Advantage
If Trump walks back sanctions, some fear key arms and military technologies could be next.
Cybersecurity
Trump transition threatened to fire IGs
Agency watchdogs told the House Oversight Committee that early worries about a purge of the IG ranks by the Trump transition have been put to rest, but they were still concerned about the possible consequences of the federal hiring freeze.
Cybersecurity
CBP gets new chief
Border Patrol lands an agency veteran and union favorite as its new leader.
Digital Government
House approves raft of DHS bills
The House of Representatives passed package of bills covering a range of homeland security issues, from cybersecurity to border security and acquisition.
Digital Government
How Trump’s Immigration Rules Will Hurt the U.S. Tech Sector
Instead of beelining for Silicon Valley, the top minds from countries like Iran may start heading to Canada, Europe, or Asia instead.
Cybersecurity
NIST Seeks Input on Trusted Identities Guidance
The draft guidance was previously edited for four months on GitHub.
Cybersecurity
Trump: Agency Heads ‘Totally Accountable’ for Modernization, Cybersecurity
Trump canceled his scheduled signing of a cybersecurity-themed executive order with no explanation.
Digital Government
How Navy’s Warship Shop Uses Data to Do More with Less
A Navy program office turned to an analytics and visualization tool to help explain its workforce decisions.
People
House Dems want details on transition team threats to oust IGs
Two members on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee want answers from the White House about reports that Trump officials told agency watchdogs to start looking for new jobs.
Digital Government
Virtual Reality Can Make the Pain of Surgery Easier to Bear
By distracting patients, VR could minimize the cost and risk of operations—and allow doctors to operate on patients outside the hospital.
Cybersecurity
Trump postpones cyber executive order
President Trump and his team provide more details of a forthcoming executive order on cybersecurity, but postpone its signing without explanation.
People